NEW YORK—Head Coach
Ilene Weintraub '02CC and the Columbia Women's Tennis program has announced its 2021 recruiting class as the Lions welcome five players to the 2021-22 squad:
Carolyn Brodsky,
Fatima Ingrid-Amartha Keita,
Clarine Lerby,
Sophia Strugnell, and
Winta Woldeab.
Columbia's five-member 2021 recruiting class was ranked No. 12 nationally and No. 3 in the Ivy League by Tennisrecruiting.net. The 2021 class is Weintraub's sixth top-25 recruiting class in each of the last eight years.
Brodsky, Keita, Lerby, Strugnell, and Woldeab join 13 returning letterwinners to the Lions' roster including seniors
Jennifer Kerr,
Yekaterina Alferova,
Akanksha Bhan,
Melissa Sakar, and
Caitie Sullivan, juniors
Shivani Amineni,
Sophie Raiszadeh, and
Michelle Xu, and sophomores
Julia Haynes,
Rachele Rimondini,
Sasha Wood,
Anna Zhang, and
Tatiana Ziff. Columbia's 2021-22 roster can be found at this
link.
Columbia enters the 2021-22 academic year after a year-and-a-half of not competing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019-20, Columbia finished 11-2, captured its second straight ECAC Championship and registered the program's highest-ever national ranking before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season.
2021 COLUMBIA WOMEN'S TENNIS SIGNEES
CAROLYN BRODSKY
First-Year | 5-6 | New York City, N.Y./Riverdale Country School
Quoting Weintraub: "Carolyn is smart, organized and always thinking one step ahead of her opponent. A natural leader, she was captain of her high school team at Riverdale Country in the Bronx where she earned a 35-6 overall record. Carolyn's passion and love for Columbia Tennis is unparalleled and will be an asset for our team dynamic and culture."
HIGH SCHOOL
A June 2021 graduate of Riverdale Country School in Bronx, N.Y., where she played three years of varsity tennis for Head Coach Barry Sherman … Concluded 2020 season ranked as a four-star recruit by tennisrecruiting.net … Three-time First Team All-Ivy honoree … Won National Zone Championships and went undefeated, winning five singles matches in 2019 … Won the Empire Cup Doubles title in 2019 … Placed sixth in the National Level 3 Tournament in Miami, Fla. in 2019 … Awarded sportsmanship letter from the USTA Eastern in 2020 … Named team Most Valuable Player as a freshman and sophomore … Played her freshman to junior seasons for the Falcons at the No. 1 singles spot … Senior year was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic … Two-year team captain … Finished career with a 35-6 overall record, including a 12-2 record as a junior, 10-2 as a sophomore and 13-2 as a freshman … Concluded high school academic career with a 3.9 grade point average … Involved in a variety of community service activities including with the Bridgehampton Youth Tennis Project as a tennis coach for underprivileged youth ages 6-12.
PERSONAL
Born
Carolyn Brodsky on December 2, 2002 in New York City … Daughter of Peter Brodsky and Leslie Gittess Brodsky … Has a brother Teddy … Mother is a 1988 graduate of Columbia College and played on the women's tennis team for the Lions, grandfather Ronald Gittess graduated from Columbia in 1959, and brother Edward "Teddy" is a student at the school and on schedule to graduate in 2023 … Father attended Skidmore College … Hobbies and interests include playing the piano and guitar and baking … Grew up watching Columbia women's tennis team compete and always wanted to be a part of the program … Nickname is Lini … Person in history she would most like to meet: Taylor Swift … Role model is Serena Williams because she admires her fight for female athletes and women's rights as a whole, along with fight for racial equality … Loves New York City because there is never a dull moment and there is always something fun to do … Also loves NYC because of the diversity and how so many people with different backgrounds ended up in the same place … Chose Columbia to pursue tennis and academics at the highest level in the best city in the world … Enrolled at Columbia College.
FATIMA INGRID-AMARTHA KEITA
First-Year | 5-10 | Bucharest, Romania/LPS Mircea Eliade
Quoting Weintraub: "Fatima's laid back personality and humbleness caught my attention in the recruiting process as well as her one-handed backhand, athleticism, and style. She brings a wealth of experience after having competed in some of the world's most competitive events including Junior Wimbledon and the Junior Australian Open."
HIGH SCHOOL
A July 2021 graduate of LPS Mircea Eliade in Bucharest, Romania … Coached by Stijn De Gier … Seven-time Romanian individual National Champion and 18-time champion overall … Registered a doubles quarterfinalist finish at the Australian Junior Open in 2020 … Named Junior of the Year in 2019 … Rated the No. 6 player in Europe at the Under-14 age group in 2017 … Rated the No. 68 player in the World ITF Juniors at Under-18 age group in 2021 … Ranked the No. 1 player in Romania at the Under-10, Under 12, Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 age levels … Competed at the European Winter and Summer Cup … Registered a career 3-6 juniors record.
PERSONAL
Born
Fatima Ingrid-Amartha Keita on December 7, 2003 in Constanta, Romania … Daughter of Mohamed Lamine Kalona Keita and Ioana Ruxandra Manea … Has a sister Erin Anauel Keita … Both of her parents attended Bucharest University of the Arts and the Bucharest University of Economics Studies … Hobbies and interests include reading Russian books … Role model is Naomi Osaka because she is a strong woman who isn't afraid of stepping out of the ordinary … Favorite sports memory was her first Grand Slam win in the Junior Australian Open … Became interested in Columbia and college tennis through a friend who gave her the idea of traveling to the United States to attend college and play tennis … Columbia reached out to her and as time went by, she was more and more convinced that coming to Columbia to follow her dreams was the obvious choice … Chose Columbia to become the best version of herself in both tennis and academics so she can contribute to changing society for the better … Also because of the team, location and especially the coaches who were so welcoming to her … Enrolled at Columbia College … Intends to major in Political Science.
CLARINE LERBY
First-Year | 5-8 | Monte Estoril, Portugal/International Connections Academy (Pearson Online)
Quoting Weintraub: "Clarine's outgoing personality and fun spirit are going to be a great addition to the team. She enters our program with a lot of ITF experience having played tennis all over the world prior to college earning a career high world ranking of 97."
HIGH SCHOOL
A June 2021 graduate of the International Connections Academy (Pearson Online) … Coached by Javier Fernandez Martin … Named Top-10 Under 14 players in Europe in 2016 … Ranked the No. 99 ITF Junior and a Top-100 player in 2020 … Guided team to the "Best Team in Spain" title three consecutive years (2017, 2018, 2019) … Three-time Catalunya champion … Competed in the ITF tournaments all around the word … Competed at the RCTB in Barcelona, Spain … Helped guide her team to tournament titles at the Under 12, Under 14, and Under 16 levels in Spain and the RCTB in Barcelona … Also played soccer, golf, field hockey, and competed in track and field … Won several competitions in track and field … Three-year Honor Roll student … Involved in a variety of community service initiatives … Volunteered to lead sports teams for children from less-fortunate families … Tutored children and coordinated sports activities … Supported those in need by handing out clothes and food on Sundays in the church.
PERSONAL
Born Clarine Eva Arlette Maria Lerby on October 17, 2003 in Hilversum, The Netherlands … Daughter of Soren Lerby and Arlette Lervy van-der Meulen … Has an older brother Christian … Father Soren is a former professional soccer player who won the Champions League with PSV and played for Bayern Munich, Ajax Amsterdam, Monaco and on the Denmark National Team … Brother Christian competes in tennis at Arizona State … Mother graduated from the University of Amsterdam … Hobbies and interests include reading, watching documentaries, giving tennis lessons to children, swimming, and playing chess … Played virtually every sport before she finally realized tennis was for her … Also played various instruments … Lists Roger Federer as her role model because of his perseverance and determination … Chose Columbia because it is the best place for her to develop entrepreneurial skills, improve her tennis, and create a base to contribute to the development of a healthier and more prosperous world … Also mentioned that it was full package … Selected Columbia over Harvard, Arizona State, Virginia Tech, and Texas A&M … Enrolled at Columbia College … Intends to major in Economics.
SOPHIA STRUGNELL
First-Year | 5-7 | Greensboro, N.C./Northern Guilford H.S.
Quoting Weintraub: "I was impressed with Sophie's net game and doubles instincts when I first watched her play. She has that fearless approach when coming forward and attacks the volleys with her movement which is something we emphasize. Sophie has been playing a lot of tournaments this summer and made a run in the backdraw at Girls 18s clay court nationals."
HIGH SCHOOL
A June 2021 graduate of Northern Guilford High School … Coached by Tony Mule, Mike Belangia, and David Budler … Five-star recruit by tennisrecruiting.net … Ranked the No. 21 player in the USTA National Rankings in 2019 … Singles finalist at the National L2 Under 18 level at Hilton Head, S.C. in 2021 … Doubles finalist at Easter Bowl National Championship (Under-16) at Indian Hills, Calif. .. Won singles and doubles championships at National L3 Under 16 at Cary, N.C. in 2019 … Won singles Southern Closed title (Under-16) at Rome, Ga. in 2019 … Doubles quarterfinalist at the Orange Bowl International Championship (Under-16) at Plantation, Fla. in 2019 … Doubles quarterfinalist at Hard Court Nationals (Under-16) in San Diego, Calif. in 2019 … Seven-time finalist and three-time championof the Southern Closed doubles events (2015-20) … Placed first at the USTA Zonal Championships during two consecutive seasons (2017 and 2018) in Winston-Salem, N.C. and competed as the top two in the lineup three years in a row (2016, 2017, 2018) … Selected to represent North Carolina at the Southern Cup five years in a row … Won the deciding match for the Southern Tennis Team to take first place out of 17 teams from around the nation at the Intersectional Team Championships in Shreveport, La. in 2019 … Earned the North Carolina Sportsmanship Award in 2017, which honors one out of 600-plus boys and girls … Named Valedictorian in a class of 326 for her high school … Accepted to attend North Carolina's Governor's School for Math but could not attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic … Involved in community service activities including Tennis Around Town, where she taught tennis to underprivileged children around Greensboro as part of their summer program.
PERSONAL
Born Sophia Iren Tao Strugnell on January 10, 2003 in Berkeley, Calif. … Daughter of Stephen Strugnell and Joan Tao … Has a younger brother Andrew … Father attended the University of London and mother holds an undergraduate degree from Duke and law degree from the University of Chicago … Father played tennis for Ampleforth College in England (1978-81) while competing at the Wimbleton facility … Uncle Jeremiah Tao played soccer at Duke from 1993-97 … Grandmother Wanda Tao played table tennis for National Taiwan University (1962-66) … Grandfather John Strugnell was decorated "Member of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for Royal Navy service during World War II and later served as British Consul in Zaire … Father's parents are from England and Sweden and mother's parents are from China and Taiwan … Began playing tennis when she was seven years old … Plays tennis because the individual nature of tennis sets it apart from other sports … Chose Columbia because it offers the best balance of opportunities between academics and tennis and its location in New York City offers unique and cultural experiences … Selected Columbia over offers from Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Penn … Enrolled at Columbia College … Intends to major in Economics.
ARTICLES
https://www.gcsnc.com/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=279&ModuleInstanceID=154616&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=145925&PageID=74538
https://issuu.com/pscommunications/docs/onward_upward_2021_archive/s/12575748
https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/2019/07/11/ustas-southern-wins-second-straight-16-s-title/1708811001/
https://greensboro.com/sports/seeds-roll-into-quarterfinals-at-n-c-closed-tennis/article_ef8efcb8-0a6c-11e5-a7fb-fb39b82c2419.html
WINTA WOLDEAB
First-Year | 5-9 | La Mesa, Calif./Helix Charter H.S.
Quoting Weintraub: "Winta is an exceptionally smart player who is able to use her unique gamestyle to exploit opponents weaknesses. She enjoys figuring out the winning strategy. After a hiatus from tournaments (but not training) Winta recently proved her capability at Girls 18s hard court nationals, by defeating Ellie Pittman, an incoming first year at Texas A&M, among others."
HIGH SCHOOL
A June 2021 graduate of Helix Charter High School in La Mesa, Calif. … Coached by Jay Diaz … Earned the Southern California Evelyn Houseman Junior Sportsmanship Award from the USTA in 2021 … Earned First Place at the Under 16 USTA International Spring Championships as a sophomore … Registered First Place finish at the Under 18 USTA Mary Brymer as a rising junior … Played on the Under 18 Southern California USA National Team as a rising junior … Won First Place at the USTA Carmel Valley Women's Open as a sophomore … Finished in fifth place at the USTA Winter Under 16 Tournament … Played only her freshman season on the varsity tennis team and led her team to the 2017 Division II CIF championship … Four-year Honor Roll student … Volunteered by helping younger children play tennis.
PERSONAL
Born
Winta Woldeab on July 31, 2003 in San Diego, Calif. … Daughter of Woldeab Tewolde and Semainesh Woldegaber … Has two older siblings: Senay and Siem … Father attended San Diego State … Brother Siem plays tennis at Texas … Parents immigrated from Eritrea, a country in East Africa … The name Winta means wish in Tigrinya, the language of Eritrea … Hobbies and interests include nature, walking, and hiking … Role models are her parents because they work so hard and gave her the opportunity to play tennis … One word that describes here: kind … Favorite food is French fries … Has played tennis since she was six years old … Notable individuals who attended her high school: Reggie Bush and Alex Smith … Chose Columbia because of its great balance between academics and tennis … Selected Columbia over offers from Harvard, Princeton, Rice, and San Diego … Enrolled at Columbia College.
ARTICLES
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/high-school-preps/sd-sp-preps-winta-woldeab-20171110-story.html
